Lawyers to benefit from agreement on health assessment access

The New Zealand Law Society and Vitality Works New Zealand have signed a Memorandum of Understanding which will allow New Zealand's lawyers to use an online health assessment resource which has been developed by Vitality Works. The MOU has been signed by Law Society President Kathryn Beck and Vitality Works New Zealand Business Manager Clara Budd…

Angela Heather Bean censured and suspended

Former lawyer Angela Heather Bean has admitted two charges of misconduct before the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. Ms Bean accepted a cash payment of $2,500 from a client without the knowledge or authorisation of her law firm. She took $2,000 of the $2,500 for herself and raised an invoice for the remaining $500.…

Gold bullion tax law interpretation inconsistent, NZLS says

It cannot always be assumed that people who purchase gold bullion do so for the purpose of disposal, the New Zealand Law Society says. Commenting on the Inland Revenue Department's draft Question We've Been Asked: PUB00227: Income Tax – Are proceeds from the sale of gold income? (the QWBA) the Law Society says it disagrees…

Clarity needed in land disposal income tax laws

The New Zealand Law Society has recommended that changes to income tax law relating to land acquired for disposal should be clarified. Commenting on a draft Inland Revenue Department Question We've Been Asked Income Tax – Land Acquired for a Purpose or With an Intention of Disposal the Law Society said it would be helpful…

New Zealand Law Society elects four new Vice-Presidents

The New Zealand Law Society has elected four Vice-Presidents. The Vice-Presidents are elected for a two-year term and, with the President, make up the Law Society's Board, which acts as the executive body of the Law Society. Each Vice-President represents a Law Society branch or group of branches. Tim Jones has been elected Vice-President, Auckland. He…

Shane Alan Rohde censured

Auckland lawyer Shane Alan Rohde has been censured by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. Mr Rohde admitted  a charge of having been convicted of offences punishable by imprisonment which reflect on his fitness to practise or tend to bring the legal profession into disrepute. He had been convicted of driving with excess…

New Law Society President takes office

Auckland based employment lawyer, Kathryn Beck has begun her role as the 30th New Zealand Law Society President. Ms Beck is the third woman President to have been elected and has over 25 years of practical legal experience.   Kathryn Beck, New Zealand Law Society President.  Among the key issues she'll focus on will include retaining and…

Order not to employ Terry Ann Shanks

The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has made an order that no lawyer or law firm is to employ Terry Ann Shanks. A former employee of a law firm, Ms Shanks admitted misappropriation from her firm's trust account. She fraudulently obtained $10,671 through 16 transactions and used a variety of means to…

Legal and justice system encouraged and enlightened by legacy left by late Judge

The New Zealand Law Society says the legal and justice system will be both encouraged and enlightened by the generous multi-million dollar legacy left by the late Judge Ian Borrin. The retired District Court Judge died on 23 March. Before he died, Judge Borrin established a charitable trust worth between $25 and $30-million. The Michael and…

Bruce Harvey Reid struck off

Auckland lawyer Bruce Harvey Reid has been struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors by the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. Mr Reid had admitted two charges of misconduct and one charge of unsatisfactory conduct. The Tribunal had made an interim suspension order against him on 5 February 2016. The first charge of misconduct…